RIYADH: As global warming and climate change intensify, posing mounting risks to sustainable agriculture and food security, Saudi Arabia is advancing innovative solutions to modernize its apiculture sector.
Central to this transformation is the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Reef, which is spearheading efforts to drive a qualitative leap in beekeeping across the Kingdom.
The program recently launched a nationwide initiative to equip beekeepers with modern tools and technologies designed to enhance production efficiency and improve honey quality.
The move underscores a broader strategy to transition from traditional practices to sustainable, technology-driven methods aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Reef provides beekeepers with modern tools and equipment, aiming to achieve a qualitative leap
in the beekeeping sector by improving production efficiency and honey quality. (AN file photo)
Majed Al-Buraikan, spokesperson for the program, said the initiative supports sustainability by optimizing resource use and minimizing losses in hives and related products.
He emphasized that the project complements ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to establish and operate queen bee breeding stations and produce bee packages. These initiatives are aimed at improving the genetic traits of local bee populations while enhancing breeding efficiency and productivity nationwide.
Al-Buraikan added that the introduction of modern equipment enables better hive management, streamlining feeding, inspection, and harvesting processes while reducing stress on bees. These improvements contribute to higher productivity, better honey quality, and enhanced safety standards, ultimately strengthening the competitiveness of Saudi honey in the marketplace.
The project will benefit beekeepers across the Kingdom, with 1,800 equipment packages slated for distribution.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia is a rapidly growing, high-potential sector that blends traditional methods with modern ones.
• With over 15,000 beekeepers, especially in Asir and Jazan, the Kingdom produces premium sidr and samra honey.
• In 2023, over 100 licenses were granted for honey production within the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve.
Saudi Arabia’s honey sector is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation, one that merges centuries-old traditions with the precision of modern, sustainable agriculture.
Mohammed Shamsul Ola, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry at King Saud University and associate editor of the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, told Arab News: “From a biotechnology perspective the Saudi Reef initiative represents a practical, systems-level strategy aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, with significant impact on both metabolic processes and genetic advancement in honeybee populations.”
“At the metabolic level, the use of modern hive technologies allows beekeepers to better regulate feeding and environmental conditions. This directly supports efficient energy use, nutrient processing, and enzyme activity, all of which are essential for honey production,” he said.
“By reducing stress through improved monitoring and handling, bees maintain stable metabolic function, leading to stronger immunity, reduced disease risk, and improved overall productivity and honey quality,” he added.
“On the genetic side, structured queen bee breeding programs focus on enhancing key traits such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, and foraging efficiency. Through selective breeding, these programs strengthen colony resilience and adaptability, reflecting key principles of applied genetics and population improvement,” said the professor.
“Overall, combining metabolic efficiency with genetic enhancement creates a synergistic effect — resulting in healthier colonies, higher-quality honey, and a shift toward more sustainable and technologically advanced beekeeping practices,” he added.
The Reef initiative supports sustainability by optimizing resource use and minimizing losses in hives and related products. (SPA)
In January, Saudi Arabia further reinforced its commitment to agricultural innovation. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Alfadley signed an agreement with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to introduce advanced technologies and sustainable practices into the Kingdom’s farming sector, with the goal of strengthening food security.
The ministry is funding the agreement with $5 million, leveraging CGIAR’s technical expertise to train local professionals and implement joint projects focused on environmental protection, sustainability, and innovation. The partnership will bring international specialists to Saudi Arabia to share global best practices in food security and modern agriculture.
The Kingdom has also marked a significant environmental milestone, restoring one million hectares of degraded land and planting more than 159 million trees. This achievement represents a major step forward for the Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, which aims to plant 10 billion trees — equivalent to rehabilitating 40 million hectares across the country.
The Food and Agriculture Organization recently praised Saudi Arabia’s progress, commending its efforts to combat land degradation and restore ecosystems, while affirming its continued support for the initiative.
Green landscapes, including mangrove forests along the Arabian Gulf coast, are also playing an increasingly important role in supporting beekeeping, providing vital habitats that enhance biodiversity and sustain bee populations.
